Gresham police search for carjacking suspect

Gresham police and the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team are investigating a Wednesday carjacking and high-speed chase.

Sometime between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. a Vancouver man stopped in Rockwood at the Plaid Pantry at Southeast 181st Avenue and Stark Street. When he got out of his car, another man approached and threatened to kill him if he didn't hand over money and keys to the car, police said.

The victim did not have any cash, police said, so the suspect drove the car away with the man inside. The victim eventually jumped from the moving vehicle and suffered minor injuries. Police say they did not know if the suspect was armed.

Police spotted the car at about 8:15 p.m. near 174th Avenue and Main Street. At times officers pursued the 2003 Hyundai Elantra at speeds of 60 mph, said Sgt. Jeff Hansen, a police spokesman. But officers backed off through intersections and the suspect was able to build enough of a lead to drop off the car and disappear on foot, near Southeast 168th Avenue and Stark Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gresham Police Department tip line at 503-618-2719.